the communicator - eagleharborchurch.org tempted in ways large and small to fit ... mat and john...

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Eagle Harbor Congregational Church 105 Winslow Way West Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 206-842-4657 Return Service Requested NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Bainbridge Island, WA Permit #1870 The Communicator Published by Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, UCC Rev. Dr. Dee Eisenhauer, Pastor Jennifer Merrill, Editor Mary Waterson, Circulation The deadline for the February, 2014 issue of The Communicator is Monday, January 20. To Contact Us: Rev. Dee Eisenhauer: [email protected] Church Office: offi[email protected] We’re on the web www.eagleharborchurch.org Like us on Facebook! The Communicator All the (Church) News That’s Fit to Print Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, UCC January, 2014 P A G E 1 Holy One, untamed by the names I give you, in the silence name me, that I may know who I am, hear the truth you have put into me, trust the love you have for me, which you call me to live out with my sisters and brothers in your human family. —Ted Loder

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The Communicator Published by Eagle Harbor

Congregational Church, UCC

Rev. Dr. Dee Eisenhauer, Pastor

Jennifer Merrill, Editor

Mary Waterson, Circulation

The deadline for the February, 2014 issue of The Communicator is

Monday, January 20.

To Contact Us:

Rev. Dee Eisenhauer:

[email protected]

Church Office:

[email protected]

We’re on the web

www.eagleharborchurch.org

Like us on Facebook!

The Communicator All the (Church) News That’s Fit to Print

Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, UCC

January, 2014

P A G E

1

Holy One,

untamed

by the names

I give you,

in the silence

name me,

that I may know

who I am,

hear the truth

you have put into me,

trust the love

you have for me,

which you call me to live out

with my sisters and brothers

in your human family.

—Ted Loder

“Who Are You?” T h e

C O M M U N I C A T O R

PAGE

2

I hope you have enjoyed the Christ-

mas season—the weeks of preparation,

the special music and the lights and the

family time. I hope you all found a way to

keep the feast in a way that was joyful

and holy, and even had moments of

peace. Now, we return in the New Year

to our routines.

After the holidays, it’s back to the so-

called “rat race.” One of Lily Tomlin’s

bits of wisdom: “The trouble with the rat

-race is that even if you win, you are still a

rat.”

Here’s a question: can you be fully en-

gaged with the world, rat race and all,

and not be—or become—a rat? We live

in a world of sin, and thus we’re constant-

ly tempted in ways large and small to fit

in with a corrupt, competitive, violent

and materialistic culture. How do we en-

gage with society and resist being com-

pletely defined by its expectations and

norms?

We resist peer pressures by having a

firm grip on our identity as children of

God and agents of grace. Our Epiphany

worship series will be shaped by the over-

arching theme “Who Are You?” We’ll be

pondering themes that help us refine our

sense of identity:

Follow Your Star

Connect With Your Belovedness

Know Your Name

Claim Your Vocation

Embody Beatitude Living

Live With Integrity

Create Right Relationships

Go Beyond

Proclaim Transformation

As part of this worship series, we will

be seeking folks from the congregation

who would be willing to give a brief testi-

mony—2 or 3 minutes answering a ques-

tion that aligns with these themes. Our

congregation is always blessed by hear-

ing from our companions on the spiritual

journey. We think that having a weekly

testimony will not only allow us to con-

sider some big ideas, but it will help us

get to know each other better. We’ll be

able to have a little fuller answer to the

question “Who Are You?” after hearing

from various folks. So don’t be shy! Vol-

unteer! Or say “yes” when asked. Even if

public speaking makes you shake in your

boots, we guarantee that you will never

find a more loving and gracious audience

to address; EHCC may help cure you of a

fear of microphones.

I look forward to sharing the season

with you. Who are you? You are beloved

of God, a unique and beautiful image of

the Divine. —Peace, Dee

T h e

C O M M U N I C A T O R

P A G E

11

Russ Freeman How would you/please describe the evolution of your

Christian faith so far? Our church and others have changed dramatically in the

years I have been attending. We are more tolerant and open

to new ideas. Even our music is cheerful. The changes are

great, and I think I have changed with them. We are going in

the right direction.

Why should we pass on the Christian faith/why is Christi-

anity (as you understand and practice it) relevant today?

We live in a troubled world. Christianity provides positive at-

titudes and action that are vital to helping make positive changes.

How would/do you describe EHCC to someone who doesn’t attend our church? Come join us. Our church services are great and the people are all pleasant and wel-

coming. I'm sure you will find it to be an enjoyable experience.

Interfaith Advocacy Day, Thursday, January 30 Want to spend an interesting and informative day with people of all faiths—and

people of no faith at all—who stand up boldly to challenge the powerful? EHCC ad-

vocates will join with other Faith Action Network friends in speaking directly with

our state legislators. But first, we attend workshops that will break down the issues

and get current best practices on how to advocate in today’s legislature.

FAN’s Top two issues this 2014 session are: Preventing Gun Violence (I-594)

and Preventing Wage Theft. Other key issues will also be discussed.

We already have a team going from EHCC—carpooling an option. Register via

email at [email protected] and click on the registration link. Registration is $15 until

Jan. 15; $20 until Jan. 30 (includes box lunch)

Contact Madelyn Fox or Jennifer Merrill for more information.

Focus on Faith: T h e

C O M M U N I C A T O R

PAGE

10

What brought you to church (initially; not specifically to EHCC)?

I was very active in the youth group at Calvary Methodist Church in San Jose, California

during World War II. All of the boys were invited to join the military as we graduated

from high school. Eventually we all returned, re-grouped and continued to meet occa-

sionally for several years. Leona and I met at one of those gatherings, and we were

married in the church.

Tell us about a specific time when participating in church was especially meaning-

ful (not necessarily a time at EHCC). As newlyweds in 1951 we bought a "tract" house in Cambrian Park, one of many of

the enormous new communities that were being built in San Jose. New communities

need churches, and it was our good fortune that the Methodists chose to establish a

new church in Cambrian Park, and we were involved from the beginning. Until we had

a building, we held meetings, worship, and Sunday School in various homes. I put in

long hours hammering nails on the new multi-purpose hall. Eventually, we had a

building, a minister and a committed congregation. It was a great experience for eve-

ryone.

What makes your on-going relationship with church meaningful or worthwhile/

how has participation at EHCC positively affected your life? We moved to the northwest and continued to go to church for another ten years, but

when we moved to Bainbridge Island in 1967 our church attendance became a rare

event and continued that way for several years. One day we agreed that we missed

going to church and we checked out EHCC. At that time Dale Turner was the interim

pastor. Though his sermon was directed to the congregation, I felt like he was talking

directly to me...and the rest is history. We made a good

choice. Among other things, I have spent a lot of hours over

and under the church building. I think the preservation of the

building is vital. Working with others who share in caring for

our building is a big part of our great fellowship.

(cont. on pg. 11)

THE

COMMUN I CATOR

PAGE

3

EHCC Considers a Theme in 2014:

Creating Compassionate Hearts Eagle Harbor Church's Mission Council

has made a commitment to Compassionate

Action. And, later this month, we hope you

will endorse our call for action.

Martin Luther King, Jr., saw what he

called the beloved community as a person-

al experience that blossoms with the allevi-

ation of economic inequity and the

achievement of economic justice. In King's

view, the beloved community is a vessel

for God's love, "it does not begin

by discriminating between worthy

and unworthy people, or any quali-

ties people possess. It begins by

loving others for their sakes." It is

King's realistic, but bold, vision

we hope to advance through our conscious

embrace of compassionate action.

A couple months ago, EHCC held an all

-church brainstorm after worship, identify-

ing our current compassionate work, look-

ing for ways we could grow or extend it,

and brainstorming blue sky ideas—new

ways to invest our time and energy in pur-

suit of growing the beloved community.

You can see the full list of the participants'

work here: http://sdrv.ms/1cm91rA.

Your Mission Council reviewed that list

and came up with five targets for growth

and three blue sky ideas that we plan to

present to the full congregation during our

annual meeting on Sunday, Jan. 19.

They are:

Growth Areas: (1) Expand visitation to

shut-ins; (2) find new partnerships for ser-

vice and justice work (low-income hous-

ing, low-paid workers, isolated seniors; (3)

continue all-age participation in worship to

help bond church family; (4) more church

fellowship (like meetings, progressive din-

ners, etc.); (5) work to rebuild senior high

ministry.

Blue Sky (new) Areas: (1)

Adult mission trip; (2) more in-

volvement in the Faith Action Net-

work; (3) pick another community

(non-Christian) to have regular

sharing time—maybe quarterly.

We also plan to ask the congregation to

ratify the Charter for Compassion (http://

charterforcompassion.org), advanced by

Karen Armstrong. The charter holds, in

part, that compassion "is the path to en-

lightenment, and indispensable to the crea-

tion of a just economy and a peaceful glob-

al community." (see page 5)

Please consider prayerfully how you

could support each of these areas of

growth. And, if there's one area that you

feel particularly called to, please speak up

and volunteer to be on a task force to help

bring it to fruition.

—Reed Price, EHCC Secretary

T h e

C O M M U N I C A T O R

PAGE

4

Please Keep in Your Prayers:

Deborah Allen, N.Z. Carol,

Mat and John Chamberlain,

Benjy Cunningham,

Karen Eisenhauer, Jolene Farwell,

Mickey Henshaw, Jessie Hey,

Olga Macferran, Dorothy Meyer,

Kate Walsh

Annual Meeting Come one, come all to EHCC’s annu-

al member meeting. It will be held on

Sunday, January 19 at 11 a.m. in the

sanctuary. It’s a little bit earlier this year

as Dee is heading off shortly after that to

have some R&R with family in the Far

East.

I really hope that you will make a spe-

cial effort to attend our annual meeting

because it is just that—our meeting.

We’ll hear from our staff about what

they’ve been up to in 2013 and what they

hope to achieve this year. We’ll take a

look at our proposed 2014 budget and

what the Mission Council is suggesting

we spend our money on next year. You

get to elect our Mission Council Mem-

bers...And what a wonderful job the pre-

sent Council is doing, although I may

have some bias in that area. We’ll also be

discussing whether or not EHCC should

adopt a formal Compassion Charter.

And if that isn’t enough, you get an

opportunity to talk about how well we are

fulfilling our Mission Statement: “We are: God-Loving, Christ-

Centered. Spirit-Led People of Faith. “On our journey, we: Humbly seek

God’s truth together; Welcome all seekers

as Christ has welcomed us; Open our-

selves to the Spirit; Join with other faith

communities in a quest for harmony; and

Work together, reaching beyond ourselves

to foster the Kin-dom of God on Earth.” Thank you for all you do and I look

forward to seeing you on the 19th.

—Mission Council Chair, Stephen Wilson Prayer Chain

Call any one of us with your

prayer requests and concerns:

Linda Swolgaard, 842-3338

Ann Lovejoy, 842-0108

Jennifer Merrill, 780-6937

Tonya Keaton, 852-4817

Eileen Nicol, 842-1245

Dianne Speers, 855-9446

Jean Atwater, 855-4180

Marian Rees, 842-4621

Peggy Houck, 842-5868

THE

COMMUN I CATOR

PAGE

9

On January 25, the EHCC Service

Team will provide a dinner for about 80

women and children at Mary’s Place in

Seattle after their Saturday liturgy. Our

Caring Coins will help pay for this deli-

cious fried chicken meal they always en-

joy.

Our ongoing support for this important

mission empowers women and children to

reclaim their lives, gives them hope and

helps them grow. The success stories are

many: Diane found solace and community

when she discovered Mary’s Place for the

first time in October, Sherry got her Sec-

tion 8 housing, and Pat got a job that she

really enjoys. Sarah got three A’s on her

5th grade report card, Thomas met the Sea-

hawks mascot, Blitz, at the Hawks Thanks-

giving dinner, Devyn was taking her first

steps, 12-year-old Maria learned to skate,

and Mark can read chapter books now!

Their 48-bed emergency shelter for

women and children on Bell St. has been

full nearly every night and 162 families

have moved through the shelter this year.

The need for safe family shelter is great

and growing. Our help is greatly appreciat-

ed.

EHCC will also collect used winter

clothing and items from the following

Wish List from January 5-19 to bring

with us on the January 25.

Backpacks, tote bags, wheeled lug-

gage

Blankets, sheets (twin size)

Cold medicine (for adults)

Flashlights

Hats, scarves, gloves

Hand warmers

Reading glasses

Umbrellas

Soap, shampoo, deodorant, razors

Feminine hygiene products

—Madelyn Fox

January Caring Coins

Stock Donations to EHCC EHCC is now accepting stock donations! Our new Fidelity account has made it

quick and easy. There are significant tax benefits to donating stock to charity. You

can claim a charitable deduction and avoid capital gains by donating appreciated

property to charity. As long as the property has been held for more than 1 year, and

some other conditions are met. Talk to your tax advisor or financial planner for more

information.

If you would like to donate stock, please contact me for instructions.

—Stephanie Bowen, Financial Secretary [email protected]

T h e

C O M M U N I C A T O R

PAGE

8

Mark Your Calendar

Animate Faith: Adult Education session, Wednesday, January 15.

This is the fourth in our seven-session (one meeting per month) adult faith formation

program called Animate Faith. During this session we’ll take a look at the work of

Pastor Shane Hipps, who challenges us to consider the meaning and responsibilities/

challenges of “salvation.” The session is titled: “Salvation: Abundant Life Now.”

We’ll gather for a simple potluck meal at 6:30 p.m. and then a consideration of

Hipps’ ideas at 7 p.m. Open to all!

EHCC Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 19, 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.

Soup n Such, Monday, January 20, noon in our fellowship hall. Join us for

a delicious lunch and then a conversation with a representative from Helpline House

who will tell us about current and new programs. Open to all; suggested lunch dona-

tion of $3/person

Hungry Readers book discussion group, Monday, January 20, 7 p.m. in the

Singer room. We’re discussing 12 Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Arm-

strong. This thought-provoking book draws from many religious traditions to show

how compassion is a commonly held value across religions. Armstrong gives prac-

tical help in becoming more compassionate by arranging the book as a 12-step pro-

cess for the cultivation of compassion. The twelve steps she suggests begin with

“Learn About Compassion,” and close with “Love Your Enemies.” In between, she

takes up self-love, mindfulness, suffering, sympathetic joy, the limits of our

knowledge of others, and “concern for everybody.” She shares concrete methods

to help us cultivate and expand our capacity for compassion, and provides a read-

ing list to encourage us to “hear one another’s narratives.” Armstrong teaches us

that becoming a compassionate human being is a lifelong project and a journey

filled with rewards. We’ll be trying to put compassion at the center of our EHCC

mission in 2014, and we recommend reading this book as a beginning place. Come

and join the conversation!

IFC Spring Choral Concert, Sunday, February 9, 3:30 p.m. at Rolling

Bay Presbyterian Church. Save the date!

THE

COMMUN I CATOR

PAGE

5

Update Your EHCC Directory Yes, it’s getting to be time for new EHCC directory, but in the meantime, please

add these people to your at-home roster:

Ann Brown, 428 Harborview Dr. SE # 181, Bainbridge Is., WA 98110, 451-4921

Trevor Carlson, 650 Ericksen Ave. NE, Bainbridge Is., WA 98110, 293-678-7339

Stephanie Hanna, 10658 NE Valley Rd., Bainbridge Is., WA 98110, 780-4920

Elissa and Charlie Kratzer (Thomas and Liam), 3560 Gangemarken Ln. NE,

Bainbridge Is., WA 98110, 451-4698

Sue and Kyle Lukins, 15830 Euclid Ave. NE, Bainbridge Is., WA 98110,

842-4424

Sarah and Andrew Ruhrdanz (Eleanor), 190 Harbor Square Loop NE # C131

Marian and Keith Thackray, 291 Ericksen Ave. NE, Bainbridge Is., WA 98110,

780-6877

Winnie Tingley, 214 Shanti, Lane, Bainbridge Is., WA 98110, 201-6877

Charter for Compassion Proposed Compassion Charter for

EHCC (to be voted on at the Annual Meet-

ing): As a member of the international Com-

passionate Action Network Eagle Harbor

Congregational Church has adopted com-

passion as a core value.

We believe all women, men and chil-

dren are called to love and treat each

other as brothers and sisters.

We encourage all governments, socie-

ties, neighborhoods and faith commu-

nities to adopt compassion as a guid-

ing value.

We believe the degree to which com-

passion is reflected in their policies will

result in proportional civility, prosperi-

ty and growth.

We believe treating others with com-

passion is the foundation for all truly

positive human relationships.

In furtherance of this commitment, we

pledge ourselves to treat all life with

kindness, civility, patience and love,

and to encourage our civic communi-

ties to do likewise and become mem-

bers of the Compassionate Action

Network.

EHCC January, 2014

1

Office closed AA 7pm S

Barbara Minster

2

Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

3

4 OA 9:15am S

Abbreviation Key: FH: Fellowship Hall K: Kitchen S: Singer Room

AA: Alcoholics Anonymous

BOSIA: Bainbridge/Ometepe Sister Island Assoc.

OA: Overeaters Anonymous

SS: Sunday School TTC: Teen Talking Circles

Birthdays in Italics

5 2nd Sunday after Christmas

Choir rehearsal 8:30am sanctuary (intergenerational;

Communion)

Worship/SS 9:30am

Youth Group 11am-1pm

AA 7:30pm S

Eugie Price

6 Epiphany TTC 3-5pm S

Book Group 5-7pm S

7 Bible study 9:30am

Dee’s office

8

Bible study

6:30pm Dee’s office

AA 7pm S

9

Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

Ailish Wilson

10 Davis Harrison

Suzanne

Macpherson

11 OA 9:15am S

Melanie Elliott

12 The Baptism of Christ/

1st Sunday after Epiphany

Worship 9:30am

Youth Group 11am-1pm Music recital 3:30pm sanctuary

AA 7:30pm S

13

TTC 3-5pm S

Book Group 5-7pm S

14

Bible Study 9:30am

Dee’s office

Mission Council mtg.

7pm S BOSIA 7-9pm FH

15 Animate Faith

Adult Ed.: potluck @

6:30pm; discussion @

7pm FH AA 7pm S

16 Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Islandwood 9:30-11:30am

FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

Nicolas Pecora

Kenam Sohn

17

18 OA 9:15am S

Susan Allen

19 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Choir rehearsal 8:30am sanctuary

Worship/SS 9:30am

EHCC Annual Meeting 11am sanctuary Music recital 2:30pm sanctuary

AA 7:30pm S

Erin Miller

20 Soup n Such noon FH Book Group 5-7pm S

Hungry Readers 7pm S February Communicator

Deadline

21

22 Bible study

6:30pm Dee’s office

AA 7pm S

23

Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Islandwood 9:30-11:30am

FH

Racism Discussion

6:30pm S

24 Stephen Wilson

25 OA 9:15am S

Olivia Lunt

26 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Choir rehearsal 8:30m sanctuary

Worship/ SS 9:30am

Youth Group 11am-1pm Madrona 1-7pm FH & K

AA 7:30pm S

Amy Chamberlain

27 Madrona 9am-noon FH

Super Supper 5pm FH

Book Group 5-7pm S

28 Madrona 9am-noon FH

Super Supper 5pm FH

29 Madrona 9am-noon FH

Bible study

6:30pm Dee’s office AA 7pm S

Carl Herman

31 Madrona 9am-noon

FH

Super Supper

5pm FH

30 Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Madrona 9am-noon FH

Super Supper 5pm FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

Teita Reveley

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

EHCC January, 2014

1

Office closed AA 7pm S

Barbara Minster

2

Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

3

4 OA 9:15am S

Abbreviation Key: FH: Fellowship Hall K: Kitchen S: Singer Room

AA: Alcoholics Anonymous

BOSIA: Bainbridge/Ometepe Sister Island Assoc.

OA: Overeaters Anonymous

SS: Sunday School TTC: Teen Talking Circles

Birthdays in Italics

5 2nd Sunday after Christmas

Choir rehearsal 8:30am sanctuary (intergenerational;

Communion)

Worship/SS 9:30am

Youth Group 11am-1pm

AA 7:30pm S

Eugie Price

6 Epiphany TTC 3-5pm S

Book Group 5-7pm S

7 Bible study 9:30am

Dee’s office

8

Bible study

6:30pm Dee’s office

AA 7pm S

9

Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

Ailish Wilson

10 Davis Harrison

Suzanne

Macpherson

11 OA 9:15am S

Melanie Elliott

12 The Baptism of Christ/

1st Sunday after Epiphany

Worship 9:30am

Youth Group 11am-1pm Music recital 3:30pm sanctuary

AA 7:30pm S

13

TTC 3-5pm S

Book Group 5-7pm S

14

Bible Study 9:30am

Dee’s office

Mission Council mtg.

7pm S BOSIA 7-9pm FH

15 Animate Faith

Adult Ed.: potluck @

6:30pm; discussion @

7pm FH AA 7pm S

16 Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Islandwood 9:30-11:30am

FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

Nicolas Pecora

Kenam Sohn

17

18 OA 9:15am S

Susan Allen

19 2nd Sunday after Epiphany

Choir rehearsal 8:30am sanctuary

Worship/SS 9:30am

EHCC Annual Meeting 11am sanctuary Music recital 2:30pm sanctuary

AA 7:30pm S

Erin Miller

20 Soup n Such noon FH Book Group 5-7pm S

Hungry Readers 7pm S February Communicator

Deadline

21

22 Bible study

6:30pm Dee’s office

AA 7pm S

23

Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Islandwood 9:30-11:30am

FH

Racism Discussion

6:30pm S

24 Stephen Wilson

25 OA 9:15am S

Olivia Lunt

26 3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Choir rehearsal 8:30m sanctuary

Worship/ SS 9:30am

Youth Group 11am-1pm Madrona 1-7pm FH & K

AA 7:30pm S

Amy Chamberlain

27 Madrona 9am-noon FH

Super Supper 5pm FH

Book Group 5-7pm S

28 Madrona 9am-noon FH

Super Supper 5pm FH

29 Madrona 9am-noon FH

Bible study

6:30pm Dee’s office AA 7pm S

Carl Herman

31 Madrona 9am-noon

FH

Super Supper

5pm FH

30 Men’s B’fast 7am FH

Madrona 9am-noon FH

Super Supper 5pm FH

Choir rehearsal 7pm

sanctuary

Teita Reveley

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday